I started calorie counting and exercising just over a month ago and since then I have lost 21 lb but now I would like to set myself some targets and dates to reach them by.

At the moment I weigh 319 lb and my first major target is 279 lb (19 stone 13lb) but I am unsure how long to give myself to get to this weight.

Can anyone help?

Well, they say averaging 1-2 pounds a week is a healthy loss, so I'd map that out and go from there. Keep in mind, some weeks you will lose more, others less. I know that at higher weights and beginning weight loss, it can come off at a faster rate, so you might be tempted to push your timeline up, but don't do it.

It looks like you've already figured things out! Keep up the great work!

I have a target of losing 1% of my body weight each week. When I was 400 pounds, that meant 4 pounds a week and these days it means about 3.2 pounds a week. I think the 1-2 pound loss is a healthy guideline, but it always been my impression that it's more geared to those with more typical amounts of weight to lose than those of us who are 300+. It's meant to ensure adequate nutrition and energy intake, and many of us who are larger can lose on 1800 calories plus, which is more than enough food. I'm no longer a big calorie counter, but I've estimated my intake to be around 1500 or so a day, and I never feel deprived.

I usually make my target. If I have a week that I lose a little more, the following week I typically lose a little less.

Congrats on your loss so far!

Thank you for the tips.

MetaChick: I like the idea of losing 1% of your body weight each week.

I'm glad you might find the 1% thing helpful. I'd like to take credit for making the whole thing up myself, but I did read it somewhere years ago as a reasonable target for healthy weight loss.

Metachick - I'd never heard of the 1% thing before. Interesting idea.

I actually think it can be a bad idea to put timelines to weight loss.

First, weight loss is not linear. Sometimes you can lose a pound one week, do the same things the next week and stay the same, and on a third exactly the same week gain a pound. Partly it's because scales don't weigh just fat, but all of us. So when you retain water you can't see the pound you lost. But part of it is just that our bodies don't work like that all the time.

Second, things happen that throw us off track. Stress, injuries, gatherings and holidays can set you back.

I have seen a lot of people set time goals, and then get depressed and upset when they don't meet them and give up, figuring that they can't do it.

My advice would be to set mini-goals, but not with dates or deadlines. And then find other ways to measure progress other than the scale. Measure yourself, or set fitness goals... Either way, good luck!